Application Number: 10/03229/LBC
Name: Esme Newbery
Address: 15 Orlando Road
London SW4 0LD
Tel:
Email:
Date and time of comment left: 25-11-2010 23:16
Comment Type: Object to Proposal
Comment:
I am very concerned to hear about the proposals to turn 3 Bristol Place, currently housing the Forest cafe, into private flats.
I was a student at Edinburgh University and the Forest Cafe was always a great place to go for lunch, to see a concert or an exhibition, or to participate in a choir. It is a very important arts and social centre, a hub of creative activity in the area and a vital part of Edinburgh?s cultural life. It is also one of the great alternative attractions for visitors to the city.
The plan to turn the cafe into private flats seems to directly contradict the Edinburgh City Local Plan which states that ?development involving the loss of valuable local community facilities without replacement will not be allowed, unless appropriate alternative provision is to be made?(p71) , and that ?facilities such as local doctor and dental surgeries, local shops, community halls and meeting rooms are necessary to foster community life?. The Forest Cafe is one of the few truly ?valuable local community facilities? in this area and it would be a travesty to close it down. Furthermore 3 Bristo Place is a grade B listed building and a wonderful space that should remain open to the public as it is today.
I fully object to this proposal. I urge the council to keep the building open to the public and support the Forest Cafe.